Obverse

St. Theodore standing, holding a spear in his right hand and balancing his shield against the ground with his left. Vertical inscriptions on either side: ο||γι|ο|σθ|ε|ο|Δ|ρο|σ : ὁ ἅγιος Θεόδωρος. Border of dots.

Translation

Martyr, may you watch over the lord John Kantakouzenos, caesar and brother-in-law of the emperor.

Commentary

The owner married the sister of the emperor Isaac II Angelos in 1185 or 1186 and was raised to the rank of caesar, but a severe defeat at the hands of the Bulgarians in 1186 led to his demotion. It was within this short period that this seal will have been struck.